Challenges Faced Nursing Staff While Working in Quarantine During Covid-19 pandemic; A Qualitative Study

Background: Pandemic of covid-19 appear to the world on late of 2019, the prevalence of pandemic among all the world countries was very fast. The already overburdened healthcare system faced a new challenge as a result of COVID-19's abrupt appearance. Healthcare workers around the world faced more difficulties as a result. However, many developing nations, like Egypt, lack information on these difficulties.Methods:The aim of this study was to explore the challenges faced by staff nurses when caring for covid-19 patients. This study was conducted in two hospitals in Cairo, Egypt that were working as quarantine. A qualitative exploratory research design was employed to explore the experiences of nurses using face to face semi structured in-depth interviews. The sample size was 15 nurses determined by data saturation at the point where no new information is obtained from the participants.Results: Data was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis., five main themes and nineteen subthemes were emerged from the analysis of this study. The main themes were challenges related to: personal and family (e.g., fear of virus transmission, family refusing, separation & distance, fear towards covid-19, fear of death, doubt in personal abilities). Work place (e.g., Shift hours, work load, Supplies). Nursing care provision challenges (e.g., working in a new place, using protective equipment, providing high quality of care, witnessing patients suffering). Place of residence and basic needs (e.g., eating, sleeping,toileting), and societychallenge (e.g., fear of social interaction, social isolation, stigma). Conclusion: Hospitalsadministration should create protocol to overcome the challenge that faced nursing staff in such situation.And consider nursing staff as value persons. Challenges ranged from psychological stress, social challenge, patient care challenge, training challenge’s and personal needs challenges